The setting for "Je ne parle pas francais" is Paris — a world of small cafes, crowded hotels, and gloomy rooming houses, populated by artists, writers, pimps, prostitutes, and gigolos. In this post-World War I story, society has lost its moral center. Raoul Duquette, the main character, sees feeling as the only sign of human worth. The exploitation of others for his own personal amusement and gain has become such a habit that Raoul is unaware of any standard of judgment besides self gratification.