In language, metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, and personification are all figures of speech which are commonly used to convey deep or complex ideas by using figurative or non-literal language. In this case of personification, this figure of speech occurs in the case an object or non-human entity is described as a human because it displays human features. In the case of "The flames danced on the horizon" this is a clear example of personification because the author describes "the flames" as entities that dance despite dancing is an activity that belongs to humans not to fire, and therefore the author gives a non-human entity human qualities.
The quote is referring to life and death. Life leaves us at the mercy of fate; while death or the taking of your own life is a way to stop the uncertainty.
