Wang Guowei was influenced by German philosophers Schopenhauer and Nietzsche in his understanding of tragedy. While many believe Schopenhauer's pessimistic philosophy shaped Wang's ideas, his work actually aligns more closely with Nietzsche. Wang's commentary on A Dream of Red Mansions reflects a blend of Schopenhauer's ideas and his own cultural sensibilities, with a strong influence from Nietzsche's "spirit of tragedy." This mix of philosophies highlights the challenges of cross-cultural communication in the early 20th century, especially in the development of Chinese aesthetic modernity.