What is the deeper meaning of "The Lamp at Noon"?

"The Lamp at Noon" is set during the historical period known as the Dust Bowl, and another of the story's thematic preoccupations is the degraded prairie environment in which Paul and Ellen live. Harsh winds create a constant sonic disruption and kick up dust so thick that sunlight is blocked out. This inhospitable environment creeps into the house itself by coating everything in a layer of dust and threatening to dry out the character's throats. Though both Paul and Ellen recognize the desert-like conditions they live in, they disagree about the cause: Paul insists the dry years will end, while Ellen understands that the environment has been degraded by greedy farmers' poor soil management.