Aronnax alter ego, whale vengeance

Something to consider for "20,000 Leagues":

Jules Vernes predicted the extinction of the whales as expressed in one of Captain Nemo's tirades.

And who was Captain Nemo - he seems to be the vengeful and wise alter ego of the affable and wise Professor Aronnax.

Captain Nemo, his crew and the Nautilus are the reincarnation of a whale. Nemo's slain family is likely a whale pod. The Nautilus, impervious to harpoons, is a giant harpoon itself and strikes at the iron ships of the whaling nations.