The characters in Richard Ford's "Canada" grapple with the consequences of their decisions and the complexities of their relationships. As time passes, they start to realize that errors in their early choices have led them astray, causing confusion and turmoil. Their understanding of each other deepens, which reveals the gravity of their missteps, amplifying the sense of disillusionment in their lives.

This dynamic reflects a mathematical analogy, where an initial mistake leads to an ever-widening gap from the truth. Each new revelation about their choices exacerbates the disarray in their lives, as they become increasingly aware of how far they have strayed from clarity and sense. This ongoing struggle highlights the overarching theme of lost direction and the difficulty of rectifying past mistakes.