Summary

In “Origin Stories,” Annie is married to Henry and living in Maine, where Henry teaches at Bowdoin College. One day, Annie watches a television interview “with host Ted Rosen” and guest Lionel Worthing (269). Lionel tells Ted about his new book on American folk music. Annie is intrigued by how Lionel talks about the past. While unpacking boxes at the house later, she finds herself wondering what it would have been like to live in a different era.

When Annie and Henry bought the house from their realtor Liz, they agreed to clean out the previous owner’s belongings. The house sale was cheaper this way, and Henry thought the project would be good for Annie, who was not working.

Over dinner that night, Annie asks Henry if he has ever imagined “what it would be like to be born before TV” (276). Henry seems...