A really interesting article connecting American history and ideologies to the Star Wars movies.

Star Wars: The American Mythology Episode I

I've always thought this to a certain degree. In fact, the reason I believe that most Americans relate to Han Solo, even more than to Luke Skywalker is that Han Solo represents a generation's ideals or interests more than Luke. Luke represents Farmers moving to a more industrialized urban society. That had already happened for the most part when the first STAR WARS came out. People identified with Han Solo, because he was a self-made man, living the american dream, trying to find the "big pay-off" and get out of debt. He had a hot rod, his best friend was a big loyal dog and wasn't "owned" by anyone. Looking at the generation that grew up in the 60's and what was going on in the 70s, there are all kinds of correlations to movements and cultural changes that had just happened or were still occurring at the time that the first Star Wars represents. One of the reasons there is a bit of a backlash to Lucas changing New Hope and releasing the new movies is that none of those motifs were carried over. And he did not improve upon the originals in the eyes of those who grew up with the american myth.