Does it count as "parallelism" if a character repeats the same two or three words - once at the beginning of the book and again at the end?
Yes, repeating the same two or three words once at the beginning of a book and again at the end can be considered an example of parallelism. Parallelism is a literary device that involves using similar grammatical structures, patterns, or ideas to create balance and repetition in a text.
Parallelism adds emphasis and rhythm to the writing, and helps to highlight important themes or ideas. In the example you provided, the repetition of the same words at the beginning and end of the book creates a sense of symmetry and unity. It can serve as a framing device, signaling the overall structure of the narrative and drawing attention to the significance of those particular words.
To determine if a specific instance of repetition qualifies as parallelism, it's important to consider how the repeated words are used and the effect they have on the overall meaning and structure of the book.