I'm not sure this analysis is totally correct though, after all without spoiling to much, an Indian prince features prominently in some of the best known stories of Jules Verne, and another of the famous ones is about a Chinese man.
And most stories take place with characters that are British or American bordering on parodies, rarely French people.
And most stories take place with characters that are British or American bordering on parodies, rarely French people.
It's true that women are rarely important though.
Also disclaimer, I didn't read this article.