Ben/Locke Parallels:

1. Patricide as a rite of passage.

Both characters kill their fathers in an act that proves their commitment to the island and allows them to join The Others. Both fathers were abusive (particularly emotionally), and it is only after “releasing the hold” their fathers had over them that Ben and Locke are able to move forward. Notably, while Ben kills his father willingly and does not appear to have been specifically ordered to do so by The Others, Locke is given orders (by Ben) which he fails to personally fulfill - he has Sawyer do the dirty work instead, so while Locke is still responsible for his father’s murder, he did not commit it with his own hands. Interestingly, Ben also killed his father without actually touching him.

2. Emily, the absent mother.

Both have mothers named Emily who were not present throughout their lives (Emily Linus died in childbirth, while Emily Locke put her baby up for adoption). Both mothers went into labour unexpectedly, both births involved exacerbating trauma, and both babies were born extremely premature.

3. ‘Special’ children.

Both characters are heavily influenced by others who encourage them to believe that they are uniquely special, or ‘chosen’. Both are told that they have an important destiny to fulfill, and a grand purpose. Both struggle with this belief at times (Locke overwhelmingly moreso than Ben), and decisions and events in both men’s lives are seriously impacted by their supposed ‘destiny’.

4. The childhood test.

Both Ben and Locke meet with Richard Alpert when they are children, and in both cases, Richard attempts to gage how ‘special’ they are. Locke fails the test after being approached by Richard deliberately, while Ben passes after encountering Richard by chance (or fate?). 

5. Wheelchairs and faith-healing.

Both Ben and Locke spend some time wheelchair-bound. The circumstances that lead to their injuries are wildly different, but in both cases, the issue of them regaining the ability to walk is contingent on the healing powers of the island, and whether or not they are healed is a question of their faith and the fulfillment of their purpose. Ben fears that the reason he was crippled in the first place is because the island has rejected him and he is not actually as special as he thought, while Locke’s numerous crises of faith are often accompanied by a loss of mobility in his legs, either through fresh injuries or via less tangible means.