Or is it an opportunity to prove your argumentative skills? There is never one correct answer. A student could tell me the sky is purple and I'd entertain it if they could back their claim up with evidence that did indeed prove the sky could be purple. Analysis is based on your ability to synthesize information and then argue your point well using evidence from the text.

I'm currently in school to become an English teacher. The way you suggest is actually detrimental to learning. You need to analyze along the way. If I attempted your way during student teaching, I wouldn't receive my license. I have also never taken a literature course where the professor saved discussion of the book until the end. We've always analyzed as we go in class discussion.