The theme of gender dynamics between men and women plays a pivotal role in The Color Purple. Alice Walker narrates Celie's transformation from a submissive girl into a self-sufficient woman, set against the backdrop of Southern Black rural society from the 1920s to the 1940s. At the beginning of the story, Celie is oppressed by her father, whom she later learns is actually her stepfather, and then by her husband, Albert (Mr.). The pivotal moment in Celie's development occurs through her relationship with Shug Avery, Albert's mistress. Warned by her stepfather, Alphonso, to confide only in God about his ongoing sexual abuse, Celie begins writing letters to God. These letters reveal Celie's initially self-effacing nature, which gradually evolves into strength and independence.

The novel presents several instances of role reversals between men and women. Harpo, Albert's son, tries to emulate his father's dominance over his strong-willed wife, Sofia. By the story's end, Harpo and Sofia have exchanged traditional gender roles, with Harpo taking charge of the household while Sofia works. Similarly, Celie and Albert experience a role reversal. By the conclusion, Celie becomes an independent entrepreneur, while Albert serves as her assistant. Celie also learns to assert herself by claiming her house after her stepfather's death. The romantic relationship between Celie and Shug challenges conventional gender roles of passive women and dominant men. Walker also illustrates a partnership dynamic in the relationships between Samuel and Corrine, the missionaries who adopt Celie's children, and later between Nettie and Samuel. In these relationships, both partners share common goals and work together to achieve them. Walker uses the incident between Squeak and her white uncle, the warden at Sofia's prison, to emphasize the intersection of sexism and racism. The warden's willingness to rape his own niece underscores the Southern, white, male disregard for the dignity of Black women. During the novel's time period, it was a widespread belief among white men that they could exploit Black women without facing any consequences.