Metafiction emerged in American literature in 1950s. The development of metafiction has its unique historical background and deep meaning. The metafictional writers broke away from the traditional fiction- writing pattern and formed theirs unique style to explore modern man's inner world and the conflicts that modern writers meet in the modern society.. The essay analyzes the historical background, realistic meaning and the basic features of metafiction. It also explores the deep meaning that metafiction express in the special historical background.