How is analyzing what a poet writes helpful in life?

PETE

New member
I mean take for example the "The Red Wheelbarrow" poem by William Carlos Williams. "

"so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens".

Somehow people are able to make a whole book on just analyzing what this means. Why do people do this? I mean it is just speculation. Maybe the poet just wrote some random things down. I remember back in High school the teacher gave us the impression that there was a correct answer to what the poem meant. Realistically how can there be a right answer? Isn't it up to the reader to make their own interpretation unless the poet writes at the end of the poem what they meant. I am a Biochemist and mathematician and I like to have proof of the right answer, but here how can someone prove the meaning if the poet is deceased? Don't get me wrong I like poetry but what I don't like is when people try to prove that a poem has only one meaning.
Any poets out there any comments appreciated for I have not taken any poetry nor English classes at University.
 
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