The original intention of grand narrative is a kind of "complete narrative". In McGill's words, it is an all-encompassing narrative with theme, purpose, inertia and unity. This word is often used in literary theory criticism. Historians borrow this word because of the influence of postmodernism.

The concept of "grand narrative" in historiography is closely related to historical epistemology, historical development law and historians' exploration and understanding of this historical development law, which implies the essence of deifying, authorizing and legalizing a world outlook. Ross wrote, "Because all human history is regarded as a history, the past and the future are unified in a coherent sense, and grand narrative must be a mythical structure. It must also be a political structure. The projection of historical hopes or fears makes a controversial world view authoritative. " Ross's deeper understanding and application of the concept of Lyotard reveals the essence of deification, authorization and legalization of a world view implied in the historical narrative, and reveals the political characteristics of the historical narrative. The "politics" here is not only the political connotation of state and social governance in a general sense. What's more, it emphasizes the connotation of power politics that imposes a certain will on others. In short, it is the political function of grand narrative. Therefore, the grand narrative in history is often inseparable from ideology.

It can be said that grand narrative is a perfect concept and a conceptual form that has a beginning and an end to the development of human history. Because this idea can't be proved, it will often be shattered by the impact of reality, so it is inevitable to be a myth. On the other hand, grand narrative is a bold assumption and historical verification of the historical development of the whole human society, and its motivation stems from some hope or fear of the historical development prospect of human beings. It always involves the final outcome of the development of human history, is always linked with the current situation of social development, and is often a framework of political ideals. Although western historiography has broken through the political framework in recent years, the theme clues of grand narrative focus on economy and culture. However, whether it is economy or culture, from the final outcome, it is still inseparable from political structure and social ideology. Grand narrative is not so much a historical narrative. On the contrary, this is a historical concept. It is confirmed by past historical facts, falsified by future historical facts, the hope and sustenance of historians, and the encouragement and pursuit of historians.