Abstract: Challenged by the “theory of totalitarianism” and the “theory of modernization”, the historical study of revolution that takes grand narratives of revolution as the only research approach and method has been discarded by many researchers of the history of contemporary China. Also influenced by these two kinds of theories, especially the latter one, the historical study of Shanghai has “bidden farewell” to grand narratives of revolution, separating social and cultural history from the history of revolution, and then putting the historical study of Shanghai in 1950s in the “black narrative” of totalitarianism and the isolation of modernization. This new approach recalls the history of revolution in terms of the continuity of Chinese revolutions in 20th century and its multiple meanings and provides a new dimension of the historical study of Shanghai. In light of this new approach, the historical study of Shanghai in 1950s presents various facets. Three kinds of narratives and perspectives, that is, revolution, nation and society, collide and influence one another. The statement that “the image of metropolis is vanishing, while the modernity remains” reflects the new narrative melody as well as the historical theme in Shanghai in 1950s.