Repetition in the Form of Thematic Motives

Every scene is a small piece in a larger and hopefully unified whole. Particularly it's fine to include repetition in the form of tematic motifs or running gags. What is not ok is plot oriented repetition. For instance, one confrontation with authority does not a rebel make. But if your character has repeated run ins with authority figures then the entire story begins to take on a specific thematic shape.