 Thomson's other colleague Arthur Lismer would be more positive in his appraisal, writing that the tree in "The West Wind" was symbolic of the national character—models of resolve against the elements.David Silcox has described this painting and "The Jack Pine" as, "the visual equivalent of a national anthem, for they have come to represent the spirit of the whole country, notwithstanding the fact that vast tracts of Canada have no pine trees," and, "so majestic and memorable that nearly everyone knows them.