Key moments that affected the career of William Faulkner include his participation in World War I, which influenced his later writing themes of heroism and the human condition. His novels, such as The Sound and the Fury, explored complex narratives and the South's cultural legacy. Faulkner’s recognition grew significantly after winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949, affirming his status as a literary giant. Additionally, his experimentation with stream of consciousness technique reshaped modern fiction, making him a pivotal figure in 20th-century literature.