 It has also been described as "a monument to the struggle of forward-thinking youth" against Minangkabau "adat".However, Balfas writes that it is unjust to consider "Sitti Nurbaya" as only another forced marriage story, as the marriage of Nurbaya and Samsu would have been accepted by society.He instead writes that "Sitti Nurbaya" contrasts Western and traditional views of marriage, criticising the traditionally accepted dowry and polygamy.