At this point in the book (Crime and Punishment) Raskolnikov, or Sam as we will call him, has received a letter from his mother describing his sisters upcoming marriage. Sam is infuriated because the guy is clearly a prick and his Mom and Sister are blind to it because of the wealth and security that he can offer. Sam takes issue with the fact that the husband to be will not pay his brides way to see him, he will only pay for the bags - bags that may be included anyway in the fare she will have to pay in order to come. The man is wealthy and he knows she is poor but he feels this is more fair. Sam, fuming with murderous thoughts towards the man thinks to himself.
"How is it that they don't both see all that, or is it that they don't want to see? And they are pleased, pleased! And to think this is only the first blossoming, and that the real fruits are to come."
I love this. Sam rightly observes, in my opinion noting I have not read the rest of the book, that this beginning holds nothing but a sorrowful end. The beginning of a relationship is the "blossom" because the man and woman are still putting on a show for one another, trying to impress each other. This blossom will fade with time and reveal the true fruit of the relationship. This is normal and not universally condemned here (unlike many in our time who are constantly trying to recreate the blossom when marriage is really more about fruit, to keep the illustration going) but his point is well made. If this is how he treats his wife when their relationship is still fresh and new how much worse will living with such a man be. If he can not offer such a small consideration for her affection and comfort now how much more stingy will the rest of life with him be. If he cannot care for her now why should she have hope when they are wed? Perfect.