Exploiting Folklore as a Plot Tactic in Martin's Fevre Dream

Before I jump into it, just a brief note. As part of my MFA, I was required to read at least 50 books and write a craft analysis of twelve of these books. This is the last of such formal written analysis pieces. That said, I closely read and analyzed books before I started the program, and I know I will continue to do so after I'm done. 

And now on to the main show...

Fevre Dream, a historical fantasy novel by George R.R. Martin, follows the story of a steamboat captain in the 1850s, Abner Marsh as he partners with the mysterious and wealthy Joshua York to build the biggest and best steamboat the Mississipp River has ever been. The novel is written from two points of view, that of Abner and also, sometimes, from the perspective of Sour Billy Tipton, the overseer of a defunct plantain outside of New Orleans. Down on his luck after a few incidents that left Abner with only one-run down steamboat, Joshua makes an offer that is too good to be true. He will finance the whole boat, and Abner …