An interesting set of paralllels (possible spoiler) in the Dark Tower books.
The original ka-tet of gunslingers we see mentioned in Wizard and Glass consisted of Roland Deschain, Jamie De Curry, Cuthbert Allgood, Alain James and Susan Delgado and we can also add some character whose name I forgot who was mentioned in The Gunslinger and died of terminal illness before the events of Wizard and Glass. Now the second ka-tet of Roland consists of Roland Deschain, Eddie Dean, Susanna Dean, Donald Callahan, Jake Chambers and Oy.
Now let us look at the similarities between the two ka-tets:
- First pair (Cuthbert Allgood and Eddie Dean). Both possess strange sense of humour, both are fearless and quick-thinking, both are desperately in love with the only woman in the ka-tet. First time this woman is not in love with one of them, second time she is. Both times their fates are tragic - both die a violent death in battle. One dies a virgin, another one dies childless. And I guess both have a tendency for addiction and can't keep a mouth shut.
2. Second pair (Alain Johns and Jake Chambers). Both possess an ability of Touch, both are introverted, both are very thoughtful and wise and even mystical. Their manner of death are probably the only different thing - for the death of one of them is untimely and the other one is unknown (at least not directly mentioned in the books). But the death of both has a flair of unfinished business.
3. Third pair (Jamie De Curry and Donald Callahan). Both have a place in life that helps to heal - one is a doctor, another is a priest. Both are good warriors, both die a glorious death of warrior, sacrificing themselves to let their friends live.
4. Fourth pair (unknown member of original katet and Oy). I would just argue that ka is like a wheel and one of them is a reincarnation of another. I cannot definitely prove it but I think one of them dying was very regretful that he cannot have adventures with his friends and was always fond of Roland. Another one literally dies for Roland.
5. Fifth pair (Susan Delgado - Susanah Dean). The parallel is obvious. Both are the love interest of two other members of ka-tet, both bear Roland's child. Both are cheated by ka and both hate ka. Their children play a pivotal role in the plot - one is unborn and another one a monster. If Roland could save the first and heal the mind of a second, the wheel of ka would have been turned in another direction. Both times Roland chooses not to interfere and both times it proves to be terribly wrong decision (and the second time Roland does not even realize it). The manner of death here is not alike, though I would argue that when a second one of them went through a door it was actually a door into the afterlife. Thus they both left Roland at the most crucial point and both times Roland was extremely unwilling to let them go.
And most shockingly another pair, the unexpected one (see below):
6. Sixth pair (Roland Deschain - Ageless Stranger). In the Gunslinger the man in black tells Roland about the mysterious creature - the Ageless Stranger. He tells him that the Ageless Stranger "darkles and tincts". In the end (coda after the Epilogue) Roland finds the door and hears the voice of Gan - "You darkle. You tinct. May I be brutally frank - you go on." And the cycle begins again. In his travels Roland actually managed to beome this monster, the Ageless Stranger, the eternal guardian of the Tower and doom himself to repeat the cycle He can't break the cycle unless he would open himself fully and become human again.
So what do you think of it all? I am sorry in advance if this was posted a long time ago because I refuse to believe that I am the first who saw such striking similarities. Well, maybe the last pair is a new thing but... even here I am not sure. However, those are my thoughts. Long days and pleasant nights!