Final answer:
Toni Morrison, the first African-American Nobel laureate for Literature, is known for writing novels focusing on the oppression of nonwhite characters, exploring complex themes in African-American life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The writer known for novels that focus on the oppression of nonwhite characters is Toni Morrison. This answer is supported by the literature history reflecting the challenges and resistance faced by African-American authors in getting their work recognized and published.
Toni Morrison, an African-American writer and the first African-American to win a Nobel Prize for Literature, is renowned for her novels that explore themes of black life and identity in America. In her works, Morrison employs a postmodernist literary technique she describes as "enchantment," blending historical realism with myths and supernatural tales. Her Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Beloved, along with other notable works like The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon, are prime examples of literature that delves deep into the lives, histories, and struggles of African American characters, confronting the harsh realities of racism and oppression.
The legacy of African-American writers like Morrison is a testament to the persistence and talent of creators who have overcome systemic barriers to contribute significantly to the canon of American literature.